Introducing three poems that traverse the vast landscapes of war, hope, and peace.
War
Where the hands of war tightened their grip, a symphony of horror played its malevolent notes. The battlefield, once adorned with vibrant hues of life, now wore the somber cloak of destruction, while the air, heavy with the stench of death and fear, murmured tales of anguish and despair.
Amidst the fray, hearts shattered like shards of glass, for the cruel hand of fate reached out to separate loved ones from each other. Death, with its insatiable appetite, devoured souls and left behind a trail of sorrow. The cries of the fallen echoed through the desolate wasteland, voices lost in the cacophony of anguish and despair.
War horrors painted a vivid canvas of desolation. Once a tranquil vault, the sky now wept torrents of sadness, mourning the lives lost. The earth, scarred and ravaged, bore the marks of countless battles; its once-lush fields transformed into a barren wasteland. The trees, barren of leaves, stood like sentinels of despair, their branches twisted, reaching in vain for a touch of life.
In this theater of nightmares, humanity wept, its soul shattered by the atrocities witnessed. Sorrow and guilt gripped the hearts of the survivors. War, the master of cruelty, had torn families asunder, leaving a trail of broken hearts and shattered dreams.
Oh, the horror of war, the agony of separation! It is a tale etched in blood, a narrative of pain and sacrifice.
Hope
In the midst of thundering explosions and shattered dreams, Amidst the cries of anguish and rivers of tears, There blooms a fragile hope, like a delicate flower, Pushing through the cracked earth, seeking the light. It is the whisper of a lily, soft and serene, Unfolding its petals in defiance of chaos, Each blossom a prayer, each petal a plea, For peace to reign, for harmony to prevail. And as the soldiers lay down their arms, Their battle-weary bodies yearning for respite, Their voices rise in unison, a symphony of hope, Echoing through the war-torn valleys. Soon, the sun emerges from behind the clouds, Casting its golden rays upon scarred landscapes, It paints a tapestry of peace, where shadows recede, And wounds begin to heal, slowly but surely. In the heart of war, amidst the darkest night, Hope flickers, a flame that refuses to be extinguished, It dances with resilience, igniting the spirit, Guiding us towards a future bathed in tranquility. For even in the midst of chaos and strife, The longing for peace echoes in every soul, And though the path may be treacherous and long, Hope, like a beacon, leads us home.
Peace
The world held its breath, As the bombshell news broke free. A peace agreement, at last, In a years-long war, finally. Flags fluttered in the wind, Colors of hope filled the air. Tears of relief and happiness, Washed away the burden of despair. The scars of battle slowly healed, Like flowers blooming after rain. The sound of laughter echoed, Releasing the shackles of pain. In the city squares, people danced, Embracing strangers as kin. Boundaries of nation and creed, Dissolved in the collective win. Children played without fear, Their innocence restored. A future once uncertain, Now held the promise they adored. The bombshell news reverberated, A symphony of peace filled the air. A reminder that amidst the chaos, Love and understanding can repair.
Author’s Note
If you believe in prayer, then pray for a cease-fire across all ongoing conflicts—the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Hamas attack on Israel, and let us not overlook the civil wars. Civil wars are currently ongoing in various countries, including Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Libya, Mali, Somalia, South Sudan, and Syria. These conflicts have resulted in a significant number of casualties and the displacement of countless individuals.
Credits for photos used in the video I created (with the help of Canva) to introduce this post on Instagram and other social media, go to Jeff Kingma, UX Gun, Chandler Cruttenden, Levi Meir Clancy, Антон Дмитриев, Carl Hunley Jr., Dayne Topkin, JOHN TOWNER, Lina Trochez, Sunguk Kim, Christian Wiediger, Candice Seplow, and Vasilios Muselimis on Unsplash.
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One Hundred-Word Wonders, 17 January 2024
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I am really grateful for you, for bringing these thoughts into our consciousness. It's hard to have to think about, but, it's important, so that, as you wrote, we can pray (and act, when we can).
I like you 100 word limit. It's not a short novel, it's not a long Tweet. I've been doing 100 words every Monday Morning for 5 1/2 years; check out MONDAY MORNING MINUTE at https://markkolke.substack.com/ ... nearly 26,000 subscribers - sign up is free (or paid)